CSU in Costa Rica -Language and Culture

June 26- July 26, 2014
Application Deadline extended to monday march 3

Program Description

Students will earn Spanish credit while taking classes at the University of Costa Rica, in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Students will also participate in direct interaction with the Costa Rican people and excursions to the naturally beautiful and culturally rich areas of Costa Rica. Students will take classes at Universidad de Costa Rica, in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, where they will learn Spanish specific to their academic discipline as well as gain practical knowledge of their field in Central America. Students will also participate in direct interaction with the Costa Rican people and excursions to the naturally beautiful and culturally rich areas of Costa Rica.

Known as a natural paradise, Costa Rica is home to dramatic landscapes that include rainforest and active volcanoes. Its beauty is preserved intentionally by the Costa Rican government, with 20% of the country made up of forest reserves, home to thousands of bird, plant, and mammal species. Costa Rica also has a consistently pleasant climate with spring-like temperatures and weather year round. The Costa Rican people are known for their relaxed and friendly attitudes.

Students will visit Cartago, the first capital of Costa Rica, Tortuga Island, the Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Water Falls Gardens, and the Limon Province. There is one weekend where students can travel independently, but they can receive help in organizing their own travel from the program director Matias Martinez-Abeijon.

Academic Program

The program is comprised of 10- 12 credits of CSU residency Spanish courses. All students will take the following classes (available on 200, 300, 400, and 500 levels):

2 to 4 credit Field Studies course- This is an experiential course on Costa Rican culture taught by Dr. Gingerich. The 4 credit option is offered to students wishing to do field research in Costa Rica. CSU tuition is charged for this class.

3 credit language course. Taught at University of Costa Rica by UCR staff. The level is determined by a placement test given on the first day of class. There is no additional tuition charge for this course.

3 credit elective chosen by students in consultation with Professor Martinez-Abeijon. Past courses have included Advanced Composition, Costa Rican Literature, The Novels of García Márquez, Hispanic Linguistics, Techniques of Spanish Teaching. Students whose language skills are at the ACTFL Superior level may elect to take 2 three credit courses in Hispanic lit and/or culture. Course offerings depend on enrollments and availability of instructors, but the following courses are typical offerings: Latin American Culture and Civilization, Intro to Spanish American Lit, Intro to the Literature of Spain, Intro to Generation of 98 Spanish Writers, Advanced Compostion, Costa Rican Lit, the Novels of García Márquez, the Contemporary Latin American Novel, the Poetry of Borges, Hispanic Linguistics, Techniques of Spanish Teaching, Women in Latin American Literature, Latin American Thought. There is no additional tuition charge for this course.

Students are also required to enroll in a 2 credit pre-trip course, SPN 293, 393, 493, 593, Costa Rica Today, in the 1st Summer Session. The Director grants exceptions to this requirement only in extreme circumstances. CSU tuition is charged for this class.

Cultural Program

Students will visit Cartago, the first capital of Costa Rica, Tortuga Island, the Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Water Falls Gardens, and the Limon Province. There is one weekend where students can travel independently, but they can receive help in organizing their own travel.

Students live with Costa Rican host families. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the daily life of a Costa Rican family. The family provides breakfast, dinner, and laundry service. The homes are within walking distance to the university and close to good public transportation to get around San José

Itinerary

Thursday, June 26: Departure from Cleveland for San José

June 27-29

City tour

orientation at UCR

placement test

excursions to Volcán Irazúand Cartago

meet and move in with host families

June 30- July 4: First week of classes

July 7-11: Week 2 of classes

July 12-13: Overnight program excursion to Limón and Cahuita

July 14-18: Week 3 of classes

July 19-20: Free weekend to travel

July 21-25: Final week of classes

Saturday, July 26 Return flight from San José to Cleveland

Program Fee

The program cost is $3950.

The cost includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, two meals a day, group transportation and excursions, an International Student Identity Card and 6 credits in University of Costa Rica courses.

The cost does not include tuition for the required CSU courses and may change due to increases in airfare and/or the exchange rate.

Students should budget about $400 for lunches, meals on Sundays, and other traveling incidentals including the free weekend of travel.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Students may use summer financial aid to pay for the program and tuition cost. Summer financial aid is made up of financial aid not used from the previous fall and spring terms. Students will need to speak to a Financial Aid Specialist in All-In-One in order to apply for summer financial aid.

There is a scholarship offered through the Center for International Services and Programs that is available to students on short term study abroad programs. Eligible students can apply for the CISP Study Abroad Scholarship by printing off the application form and two recommendation forms. If you are a Pell receipent, you are also eligible to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship. Please visit their website for details.

Do you need a visa?

If you are not a United States citizen (even if you are a Permanent Resident), you may need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Go to the Costa Rican Consulate of Chicago's website to find out if you need a short term tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. If you have any questions regarding visas and how to apply, please contact the Center for International Services and Programs (see contact information below).

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed one year of college-level Spanish or equivalent. Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.0; minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.

At the time of application, the applicant must have completed two semesters at CSU if a first year student, and one semester if a transfer or graduate student. Students from other universities may be accepted to the program as a CSU transient student. Must also have no financial holds on their Treasury Services account and have no infractions of the Student Code of Conduct. All applications must be approved by the Program Director and the CISP.

Application

The program application and deposit receipt are due no later than February 24, 2014. To make the program deposit of $200, take the application form and your payment to the Cashier’s Office (MC 115). You will receive a receipt that you must turn in with your application. Application can be submitted to the CISP in MC 106.
Download the application form by clicking the link CSR 14 Application- SPANISH students.pdf

Contact

Dr. Matías Martínez-Abeijón

Professor Martínez-Abeijón of the Department of Modern Languages will accompany the group, teach Costa Rica Today and the Field Study, and oversee the program on behalf of CSU.

Program DirectorMatías Martínez-Abeijón
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, RT 1627Phone: 216-523-7171Email: m.martinezabeijon@csuohio.edu